We cannot force Centre to take quick decisions: SC to J-K government

New Delhi: The Supreme Court made it clear to the Jammu and Kashmir government that it cannot force the Centre to take quick decisions on its demand for Rs 44,000 crore for relief and rehabilitation of flood victims.

"We cannot be forcing them to take a decision tomorrow," a bench comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justice A K Sikri said.

"Appropriate decision will be taken by the Finance Ministry and the Planning Commission," the bench said in a brief order.

The state government has demanded central grant of Rs 44,000 crore for rehabilitation of flood victims. Centre has announced over Rs 1,700 crore assistance to the state to helpthe flood victims.

The apex court asked the state government to apprise it of relief and rehabilitation work undertaken so far by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) in the flood-ravaged state.

"You (State) should be in a position to tell us as to whathas been done so far," it said.

"The state has said that the authority (SDMA) has been constituted and it is functioning. However, the Advocate General has not been able inform us about the decisions taken by it," it said and sought a report from the state government on November 24, the next date of hearing.

Meanwhile, the court asked the state government to ensure that there was no shortage of warm clothes and food items for the victims.

The state government said that it has postponed the annual examinations for classes I to VIII and will have to "impress upon" the state education board for taking the same step for students of class IX to XII.

During the hearing, senior advocate and Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh said that there was lack of medicines and medical equipments in hospitals in the state.

Earlier, the Election Commission had told the apex court that its Model Code of Conduct will not come in the way of ongoing relief and rehabilitation work for the flood victims in the state which is going to polls in five phases from November 25.